Delfin Lee. Photo from PNP PIO
MANILA, Philippines–The camp of Delfin Lee on Monday filed a petition for habeas corpus with the Court of Appeals to ask for his immediate release.
Lee, a fugitive for more than two years, was arrested last week in Manila. An arrest warrant was issued against him by a Pampanga court in connection with the P6-billion housing scam that used Pag-Ibig funds.
The petition insisted that the arrest was illegal considering that the appeals court had already ordered the Pampanga court to recall the arrest warrant.
“To date, there is no temporary restraining order or injunction issued by the Supreme Court to stop the implementation of the direct injunction dated 7 November 2013 issued by the Court of Appeals…There is likewise no TRO or injunction issued by the Supreme Court to stop the immediate recall, quashing and lifting of the warrant of arrest against herein petitioner (Lee),” the petition stated.
Lee, through his lawyer, said the ruling of the Court of Appeals is immediately executory.
He added that the continued detention of Lee is a violation of his client’s constitutional right to liberty.
“The detention of herein petitioner by the National Bureau of Investigation Regional Office III is patently illegal,” the petition stated.
They said after Lee is brought to the appeals court on March 11, the appeals court should order his immediate release.
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